Kanako Takase - Makeup Artist

Despite the vintage references that feature heavily in a number of her looks, there is nothing backward-looking about Kanako Takase’s make-up. With asymmetrical smatterings of paint for Eckhaus Latta one week and muted, frosted tones for Misbhv the next, the Tokyo-trained former first assistant to Dazed’s beauty editor Yadim has forged an impressive career since moving to New York from Japan at the age of 22.

Since her first big gig in the US, interning for make-up legend Pat McGrath, the Japanese artist has worked with Rick Owens on his texture-heavy SS17 collection campaign, Saint Laurent, and Mario Sorrenti.

Staying true to her non-conformist artistic tendencies, Takase has also collaborated with the likes of Norwegian artist and provocateur Bjarne Melgaard for his 2015 exhibition, The Casual Pleasure of Disappointment. She posts the odd watercolour portrait on Instagram in between showcasing new additions to her ever-growing portfolio.